Nevada’s population passes 2 million

Tuesday, July 25, 2000 | 10:31 a.m.

"Nevada's growth continues to be dominated by migration, with people moving here because of employment, lifestyle or a desire to be closer to family," state Demographer Jeff Hardcastle says.

"It is possible that we will remain No. 1 in growth," he added in releasing the state's latest population figures on Monday.

The state's population on July 1 was estimated at 2,059,433. The exact date the 2 million mark was hit is unknown, but an earlier estimate for March showed only about 32,000 more residents were needed at that point.

The latest projections also show that Nevada should add 644,000 people by 2010 for an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent, ending the decade with just over 2.6 million residents.

Hardcastle said the projected growth rate would be double the national average. Nevada was the fastest growing state for the entire 1990-1999 period.

More than two-thirds of the newcomers will crowd into the Las Vegas area, giving the booming southern Nevada city and neighboring communities in Clark County a population of more than 1.8 million by 2010, Hardcastle said.

Washoe County, encompassing the Reno area in northern Nevada, should have 66,792 new residents by 2010 - a total of 390,462.

The demographer's annual report, which typically has higher numbers than those of the U.S. Census Bureau, is used by state officials to prepare their budgets. The estimates can affect everything from Medicaid caseload predictions to road-building projects.

The federal census figures will be used to distribute federal funds to the states, and to reapportion congressional and other political districts.

Hardcastle also said a diversifying economy and commuter lifestyle will help spur growth in several western Nevada counties near Reno.

That includes Carson City, which should increase by nearly 11,000 residents by 2010, pushing the capital city's population more than 63,000.

Other counties near Reno include Churchill and Lyon, which should grow an average of more than 3 percent each year. Churchill should reach 36,047 and Lyon should have 48,990 residents by the end of the decade.

Also, Douglas County will have 3 to 5 percent annual growth, adding more than 18,000 new residents to reach 60,712 by 2010.

Also in the study:

-Elko County in eastern Nevada should see 1.6 percent growth over the decade, reaching 60,155 residents by 2010.